It works exactly like the 0.5" tape maker, I just widened the appropriate parts. It took some tweaking, but once I got it optimized it went together quickly since the instructions were essentially the same. Now I'm going to take the laziness a step further and recycle some blog content :) . The free pdfcontains instructions for printing and assembling the tape maker. There is some careful cutting involved, but it goes together pretty quickly and can be used over and over again. And if you happen to smash/tear/burn it, simply print another.

The contraption is optimized for folding 1.875" bias strips into 1" wide single fold tape. You can tweak the starting strip width a bit to get slightly wider or narrower tape.

Here is how it works: The strip is fed into a "slide" that does the folding. The top notch and tabs keep the strip centered, and the "splitter" keeps the outer edges from curling or overlapping. The folded tape is pressed as soon as it comes out of the slide, and it goes under two more tabs to set the folds as they cool.Now I'm hearing the How it's Mademusic in my head AGAIN!

The result is 1" wide tape with folds that are a bit over 1/4" wide (just like purchased tape of this size).

I played a bit with a single-fold to double-fold tape maker, but honestly, the easiest thing is to fold the 1" tape in half lengthwise and press to make 0.5" wide double-fold bias tape. You can make the folded edges flush, or leave a bit of an overhang for single step application (described by Angry Chicken in this video).

Now that I have an easy, foolproof way to make double-fold bias tape, I'm going to have to knock out a bunch of Betsey Aprons for the holidays!

What a neat gadget Carla. Binding is not something I enjoy making for my quilts, so cannot wait to give your way a try. I've featured this post on Craft Gossip here:http://quilting.craftgossip.com/?p=12820

I LOVE this. I actually wrote it up on my blog here: E.C.B. (Especially Creative Broad) I tried the metal bias tape makers too, and had just given up on being able to make bias tape easily. Thank you so much!!

Thank you so, so much for these bias tape makers!!!! I have only on a few occasions made my own, the "traditional way", because it just is so tedious. I was directed here from Craft Gossip, and my mind was absolutely blown away!

The reason I finally took time to thank you (oops!) is that today I found a link to this from Craft Gossip: http://www.aestheticnest.com/2011/11/sewing-how-to-make-bias-tube-tape.htmlOoh... combining the tube bias tape method with your bias tape maker... holy moly, I'm going to make bias tape!!!! (And I thought you might appreciate the scientific method in it, too... sure hit my little scientist in me :)

Well, that's funny! I found your .5 inch bias tape maker and needed 1" so I made my own using the .5" as a template. And then today I come back to comment and I notice this one. Woot! Actually I'm glad I made my own since I recycled a cereal box to do so. I just measured out the channels with a ruler and pencil, and it looks similar to yours (but a little smaller). Thanks again for the great idea!

I can't tell you how many hours I have SLAVED over a hot iron making my own bias tapes - THIS is the BOMB!! I made yards and yards of bias tape in minutes!! Thank you for all your ingenuity, the time you took to make this and the willingness to share it! Thank you a million times! (Now I have to invest in a rolling cutter!)Have a fantastic day!